Any interested parties in Assaidi will have to pay £7m.
Liverpool have told Stoke City that it will cost £7m to sign Oussama Assaidi on a permanent deal after the winger impressed last season during a loan spell, reports the Telegraph.
As a result of the 25-year-old’s fine performances the Potteries made inquiries about how much the Morocco international would cost, but have been shocked by the Reds’ valuation.
Assaidi was a £3.5m signing for the Merseyside outfit from Eredivisie club Heerenveen back in 2012, but managed just 12 appearances in that first season before being shipped out to the Britannia Stadium in 2013/14.
Brendan Rodgers is perfectly happy to sell the attacking midfielder, but is desperate to raise significant funds this summer in order to improve his squad ahead of the team’s return to the Champions League after a five year absence.
As good as Rodgers’ side were last term, it’s widely believed that they don’t have enough strength in depth currently to build on their second place finish in the Premier League and compete effectively in four competitions.
The Northern Irishman has been told by the board at Anfield that any funds he makes from sales can go towards future transfers and as a result the 41-year-old is aiming to raise around £30m.
Stoke are unprepared to meet the asking price for Assaidi however, and will look to agree a lower fee in the coming weeks, having already signed Phil Bardsley from Sunderland and looking to complete a deal to bring in Mame Biram Diouf from Hannover.
Read more Liverpool transfer rumours.
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